Kelly Rowland Goes Topless For Vibe Magazine

Kelly Rowland goes topless for the August/September 2011 issue of Vibe magazine. She dishes on whether she still speaks to Mathew Knowles now that he’s no longer her manager, going shopping for sex toys and the fact that she has better success overseas versus the U.S.

When you walked away from that last meeting with Mathew, did you feel an “exhale” moment? I did, but I also felt like, ‘Oh my God, what have I

done?!’ I stayed in the house for two days. I was sad. It was like a funeral. I had to deaden that situation in order to start fresh. That’s a very long time to have the same manager and the same label.

The last album didn’t do well in the States. It did better overseas, particularly in Europe. Do you feel more appreciated in Europe? Kelly Rowland: No, not really. People still compare me to B over there. I said in an interview recently, ‘You know, if you guys would be a little bit more intelligent and ask me about myself we’ll have a much better interview.’ You can’t want a story from me and keep asking me about the past.

What about your personal relationship with Mathew Knowles. Do you still talk to him? Mathew sent me flowers for my birthday!

But do you talk to him? It’s… I respect him above anything.

Speaking of this road we’re going on… Let’s talk about the song “Motivation.” I have to admit, the song went completely over my head. I thought you were talking about working out. [Laughs] No, honey.

When you heard the song, did you think, This may be too racy for my image? Not at all. Every woman knows what that feels like—hopefully. But everyone doesn’t expect Kelly to sing about it. This is true. But I just loved the song so much. And yes, I can relate to it. I came into my sexuality while I was recording this album. I can walk into a sex shop now and not worry about what people would say if they saw me in there.

You really do that? Go to sex shops? Yeah! With friends on the low. I go at the right time. Nighttime. 1 a.m. The really good ones are open that late.